The Wizards may finally be ready to emerge from the NBA’s cellar.
Washington is a potential trade partner for available Hawks guard Trae Young in a deal that would include the expiring contract of Wizards veteran CJ McCollum. according to Yahoo.
Young, 27, and his agents have entered into discussions with Atlanta about a potential trade, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Monday, while fellow ESPNer Marc Spears said Young is “open” to a move.
“I don’t think he’s asking for a trade, but I don’t think he’s (Atlanta) saying not to trade him,” Spears said. on ESPN’s “NBA Today” on Monday. ‘I hear that he is open to emotion.
“I really think he would definitely be open to a new uniform.”
Young and the Hawks seemed destined for a breakup when the team declined to offer him the maximum extension last offseason.
The four-time All-Star only has a $49 million player option with the franchise, potentially allowing him to seek a long-term contract this season.
With Atlanta sporting a 17-21 record nearing the midway point of the season, it appears the Hawks are open to the idea of potentially receiving assets now for the future in what could be a wasted season.
The Wizards have the NBA’s fourth-worst record at 9-25, ahead of the 6-30 Pacers in the Eastern Conference, and a trade would give them the opportunity to land a young, talented player.
There are questions about how Young best fits into a roster, as evidenced by the Hawks’ unwillingness to extend him, but he could be the alpha of a rebuilding team like Washington.
The Wizards lack talent from top to bottom, and landing Young would theoretically help them take the next step toward potentially competing for a playoff or Play-In Tournament berth.
Young is a talented but flawed player, averaging 25.2 points per game and 9.8 assists per game in his eight-year career, although he is at 19.3 points and 8.9 assists this year in an injury-plagued campaign that has limited him to just 10 games.
McCollum, 34, has a team-high 18.6 points per game for the Wizards and will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.
The Hawks could keep him to offset the loss of Young or potentially turn him into an asset contender before the trade deadline.
#Wizards #revealed #Trae #Young #partner #Hawks #trade #rumors #swirl